A new Mac Mini is slated to be released in 2015 after Apple introduced the 2015 Mac Mini during the iPad event in October.
Based on reviews and comparisons, the Mac Mini 2014 might disappoint several Mac enthusiasts, but there are theories that Apple might be preparing for something big in 2015 for the line.
TekRevue.com reported that the 2014 Mac Mini will improve in single-core performance by about 11 percent, compared to its predecessor, the 2012 Mac Mini. However, compared to other high-end models, it is worse by about 40 percent. Also, when it comes to multi-processor performance, the 2014 version is even worse than the 2012 Mac mini by 43.2 percent at most.
Apple executives have created a reputation for coming up with newer devices that are always faster and more powerful than their predecessors. Such is not the case with the 2014 Mac Mini. However, there were times when companies would reduce the performance or speed of newer devices to get other benefits, such as longer battery life or smaller overall dimensions. Apple actually made newer but slower models in the past involving the MacBook line, with the aim of improving total battery life, based on the same report by TekRevue.com.
Despite the slower performance, there are number of good things to expect from the Mac Mini 2014. First is better graphics, with the aid of the Intel HD 5000 or Iris 5100 GPUs, which is a 15 to 80 percent improvement compared to the 2012 model. Second is improved connectivity, with the new connectivity options like the 802.11 ac Wi-Fi and a couple of Thunderbolt 2 ports. Third is storage speed which is 60 percent faster for reads and 50 percent faster for writes. Fourth is energy efficiency, because the 2014 Mac mini uses only about 5 watts when idle. Mac Rumors also reported that the new Mac mini will feature the newest operating system, OS X Yosemite. It provides a complete design overhaul to the desktop OS, focusing much on translucency.
The theory that Apple is working on something huge for the Mac mini is possible, which can explain why they could not bring together all the components and performance advantages that they intended in 2014. Apple may have been pressured to release a 2014 version to compensate for its aging 2012 Mac mini. The current disappointment can spell a better Mac mini 3 in 2015. TekRevue.com also reported that the next Mac mini might be test platform for a possible transfer to ARM-based processors.
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